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Transferring WIC from Maryland to Pennsylvania

Your WIC certification survives the move — the food benefits switch systems. Request a VOC card from your Maryland clinic before you go; it is your proof of enrollment. In Pennsylvania, book an appointment with Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC), bring the VOC and your new address, and benefits resume.

Official Pennsylvania WIC agency: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) ↗ (application page)

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Ask your current WIC clinic for a VOC card

    Before you leave Maryland, ask your local WIC office for a Verification of Certification (VOC) card for each enrolled family member — every state must accept a valid VOC (7 CFR 246.7). Maryland's state WIC office maintains a dedicated VOC line: (410) 767-5166.

    Maryland Department of Health ↗

Moving week

  1. 2

    Carry the VOC with your moving documents

    Your current state's WIC food benefits stop working after you leave its issuing system, but the VOC keeps your certification alive.

After you arrive

  1. 3

    Contact Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and book a transfer appointment

    Bring the VOC and proof of your new address. The new clinic must accept a valid VOC as proof of eligibility for the rest of your certification period, so you do not repeat the income screening; if it has a waiting list, transferring participants go to the top of it. Stated timing: up to 20 days.

    Find a clinic / apply ↗

Maryland vs Pennsylvania: the numbers that decide it

 Maryland (old state)Pennsylvania (new state)
Program nameMaryland WICPennsylvania WIC
AgencyMaryland Department of HealthPennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Income limit185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF
Accepts VOC transfer cardYes (federally required)Yes (federally required)
Verified 2026-08-08 (Maryland) and 2026-08-08 (Pennsylvania) against the official sources cited below.

Moving with more than one benefit?

The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.

Build the full Maryland → Pennsylvania checklist

Common questions

What exactly is the VOC card?

The Verification of Certification is a document your current WIC clinic issues that proves you are certified. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require every state agency to accept it as proof of eligibility, so Pennsylvania enrolls you without a new income screening until your certification period ends. If the Pennsylvania clinic has a waiting list, a transferring participant with a VOC goes to the top of it.

What if I forgot to get a VOC before leaving Maryland?

Call your old Maryland clinic — many can send the VOC or verify your certification for Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) directly. If that fails, you can apply fresh in Pennsylvania. The federal income test is 185% of the poverty guidelines in every state, and you meet it automatically once Pennsylvania approves you for SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF.

Will my Maryland WIC benefits card work in Pennsylvania?

No — WIC benefits are issued on each state's own system, so the Maryland card stops working. Your certification transfers via the VOC; Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) reissues the food benefits on Pennsylvania's system.

Where do I actually apply in Pennsylvania?

Through Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) (online application linked above). Official WIC pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.

Related guides

Other benefits on the same move

Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Verification of Certification (VOC) · Certification period

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified